Tile cleaning/maintenance

[Gingermom]

So, not sure if this is efflorence, scaling, a combination or what, but it seems to have become a real problem this summer. I had someone tell me our excessive hot summer is the culprit. I have found the easiest way to get rid of it is using a paint scraper and regularly changing the blades. In the past I have tried acid, pummice - none which were as effective as just using a blade scraper - keeping it wet. I am unclear if it is scale from the water, why it is so much worse above the water line. Also some tiles on my spa have it that are a foot above the water line. So, I am wondering if I take it all off - is there anything I can do to keep it from coming back. My CYA is off the chart, but using pool math ( and looking at my water) I see to be staying in the magic CSI good range. I have attached some before and after removal pictures and some showing the tiles which are high up on the spa which have the "stuff" on them. You can see where I have scraped some of it off.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

The area gets wet, water evaporates, leaves scale behind, area gets wet, water evaporates, leaves scale behind, area gets wet, water evaporates, leaves scale behind, area gets wet, water evaporates, leaves scale behind, etc.

Not to make light of waterline scale (cuz it is a pain), but this continuous cycle leads to the scale line you're seeing. Lower CH helps, but we need calcium in our pool water to protect out plaster.

One way to mitigate waterline scale is with routine maintenance. Using a product like ScaleTec SR3 Scale Remover along with a nylon brush, a bit of elbow grease, Motrin, and beer should keep the scale from building up. I'm too lazy to find out how well it works though

The scale on the spa wall may be efflorescence if not in an area subjected to the frequent wet-evap cycle. Check out the following links from TFP Wiki:

Efflorescence - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Waterline Scale Removal - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[AQUA~HOLICS]

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

One way to mitigate waterline scale is with routine maintenance. Using a product like ScaleTec SR3 Scale Remover along with a nylon brush, a bit of elbow grease, Motrin, and beer should keep the scale from building up.

Thanks. That is the type of product I was referring to. I edited my post.

SR3 is a gel that sticks to the tile walls as it removes scale.